Pastel de tres leches, or three milks cake, is a popular dessert in Mexico and countries in Central and South America. This dessert features sweetened condensed milk, evaporated milk, and cream. It is a light sponge cake soaked in a dulce de leche milk mixture, and topped with whipped cream. Perfumed with cinnamon and lime zest, a slice of pastel de tres leches pairs well with fresh fruit, especially strawberries.
If you have a cinnamon stick in your pantry, use it instead of the ground cinnamon when you make the milk mixture.
The fresh lime zest is a small touch that makes a big difference. A bite of this tres leches cake topped with a lime-scented whipped cream is both sweet and citrusy. Orange zest is another flavourful option.
Taking the time to make dulce de leche with the can of sweetened condensed milk is a worthwhile step! Many tres leches cake recipes don't require it, but I find the dulce de leche gives the dessert a delicious and subtle caramelised undertone.
All-purpose flour
Granulated sugar
Baking powder
Large eggs
Vegetable oil
Water
Pure vanilla extract
Salt
Evaporated milk
Sweetened condensed milk
Heavy whipping cream
Ground cinnamon
Lime zest
Kitchen scale
Pie dish
Aluminium foil
Roasting pan
Oven thermometer
Whisk
9 by 13 inch baking pan
Bowls
Stand-mixer fitted with whisk attachment
Spatula
1 tsp, 1 tbsp
Measuring cup
Small offset spatula
Small mesh strainer
Zester
Bon appétit!
xo
Ariane
Pastel de tres leches, or three milks cake, features sweetened condensed milk, evaporated milk, and cream. It is a light sponge cake soaked in a dulce de leche milk mixture, perfumed with cinnamon and lime zest, and topped with whipped cream.
Cake:
Milk Mixture:
Whipped Cream:
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